Longfellow's Wayside Inn

If you move back to the town you grew up in - chances are a million things have changed. More stop lights, fewer Mom & Pop shops, and bigger houses are some that jump out at me daily. The bones are the same, but the overall vibe can be so very different. But there is one spot for us in Sudbury that has never changed. Longfellow’s The Wayside Inn.

The Wayside Inn is our local historical hot spot. It is not only an Inn, but also a restaurant and a historical treasure trove. It came to life in 1863 when Longfellow invited us into this setting for his book of poetry. It’s burned down, and been brought back to life several times. It was actually Henry Ford that had the wherewithal to help steward the property and turn it into the non-profit organization it is today.

Kevin and I both remember having Elementary school field trips there. We actually dressed up like Colonials and had an entire day that revolved around Colonial Day activities. It is a property that is layered with history and has the most beautiful grounds for a picnic. I remember celebrating my father’s 50th birthday there. And having friend’s get married there. In a sleepy town, it is the one establishment that really honors our history through and through.

This past fall, Kevin became a member of the Board of Trustees without any reservation. To have the ability to help preserve such an important piece of Sudbury history seemed like a no-brainer. So far, Kevin has had the privilege of helping renovate one of the old buildings - the Gate House - so that it can house the bounty of historical archives as well as allow for a residence above for the assistant Innkeeper. When you take on a project like this, there are layers that need to be peeled back, and an entire history that needs to be preserved. Before the Inn was under it’s current Board of Trustees some of the antique hand forged iron latches into the building were sliced through. And it became a daily reminder of how we need to honor the buildings history instead of slice and dice it.

There are multiple other projects at the Inn that we will slowly lend a hand to help with. The team in place at the Inn now is beyond aware of what we are trying to protect and save for future generations. They have amazing new programing and fundraising efforts that are all working hand in hand to make sure this legacy is a landmark for future generations. And it is a small way that we can continue to give back to a town that has meant so much to both of us. To check out what the board members of the Wayside Inn are up to - visit them here.

Together we create.